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Lived Name, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in MyUCSC

Recent History | Other UC History | Policy Summary

A Recent History

In April 2009, UC Santa Cruz began the process of implementing a preferred name in MyUCSC. UCSC was the first in the UC System and among the first in the nation to work on Preferred Name. Starting with paper forms that were offered at the Office of the Registrar, this process developed over the years to include self-service and pronoun inclusions.

October 2014—Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Questions available on UCSC Graduate Admissions Application.
November 2015—Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Questions available on UC Admissions Application.
August 2016—Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Questions available through MyUCSC Self­Service. Preferred Name and Preferred Pronouns released through MyUCSC Self­Service. Email sent informing current students of Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and Preferred Name and Pronouns questionnaires.
November 2016—Survey sent to respondents to determine student service and support options.
April 2018—Gender Orientation question from UCSC Graduate Admissions Application available to all students through MyUCSC Self Service.
April 2018—Preferred Pronouns available to instructors on Class Roster.
Early 2024—UCSC completes implementing the UC Gender Recognition and Lived Name Policy. Preferred Name and Preferred Pronouns are now LIved Name and Pronouns. Students are able to order official documents in their Lived Name, Legal Name, or both. Diploma Name is added for students to receive their diploma in the name of their choosing.
April 2025—Service and Support “Opt­-in” available to students.

Other UC History

On Oct. 8, 2011, Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 620 (AB 620), which includes a request that the University of California provide the opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to report their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression on any forms used to collect demographic data.

In 2012, then­-UC President Mark Yudof created and charged the Task Force and Implementation Team on LGBT Climate and Inclusion (LGBT Task Force) with developing priorities, strategies, and expected resource requirements to advance recommendations submitted by the LGBT Working Group of the President’s Advisory Council on Campus Climate and Inclusion. On May 30, 2014, the LGBT Task Force presented a report to UC President Janet Napolitano that included a recommendation to implement AB 620.

In September 2014, UC President Janet Napolitano formed the President’s Advisory Council on LGBT Students, Faculty, and Staff, which is comprised of faculty, LGBT Center staff, students, and community experts. They were charged with establishing the UC system as the gold standard for LGBT issues, and providing recommendations for the implementation of AB 620 by collecting data on gender identity and sexual orientation through the admission application.

In November 2015, gender identity and sexual orientation questions were included on all UC undergraduate applications.

On Nov. 6, 2020, the UC Office of the President adopted the University of California Gender Identity and Lived Name policy with targeted implementation to be completed on campuses by Dec, 31, 2023.

Policy Summary
Gender identity is fundamentally personal, and the University of California should ensure that all individuals have university-issued identification documents and displays of personal identification information that recognize their accurate gender identity and lived name (first name, middle name and/or last name or surname). As a public research university, the collection of gender identity data is necessary for federal reporting and assessing gender equity. As such, this policy also provides guidance on the collection and reporting of gender identity, lived name and sexual orientation.

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 Revised: 04/02/25